Nostalgia & History > And then there was one.....

While I wasn't able to document SP's last freight "F-Units" on 35mm transparency film (shot them on Super 8 movies though), I was around to catch the very last "Black Widow" GP9 - the 3611. I caught her leading two other GP9's, returning from Helper Service on the "Hill". I photographed them dropping down the main to the south end of Roseville Yard at "Antelope", as well as after they put the trio away.

This was in February of 1974; by April 5th of that same year, they had painted the short hood, battery boxes, cab, underframe, and long hood nose in scarlet and gray - but not the sides nor top of the hood - thus creating a "Half Widow":

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2026446,2026446#2026446

Thanks for looking back with me.....

Bob

ATSF100WEST......Out

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What a catch! Always wished to see a black widow couple to a tunnel motor, and I think that's as close as I've seen.

The "Black Widow" and the "Daylight" were THE best colors for SP diesels. While the "Black Widow" still lives on other railroads, like to see more of them, as well as the "Daylights", even if they don't have SP (or UP) on them.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/13 00:46 by octrax.

I like how the original number (5770) is showing under 3611 on the nose. In 1977 the 3611 was rebuilt and became SP 3800. Many years later, the 3800 became one of only eleven SP GP9's that survived on the roster when the merger with the UP occurred. It was retired in 1997 and sold to Larry's Truck Electric.